Timor Leste
Brief history of the Province
The Canossian mission in East Timor began in 1879.
The Democratic Republic of East Timor is a country in Maritime Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the neighbouring islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave in the north-western part of the island surrounded by Indonesian West Timor. Australia is the country’s southern neighbour, separated by the Timor Sea. The country has a land area of approximately 15,007 km².
Of the 13 Timorese provinces, the Canossian Sisters are present in 10 provinces and in 3 dioceses:
– Dili: 8 communities – 74 Sisters
– Baucau: 6 communities – 37 Sisters
– Maliana: 4 communities – 19 Sisters
The Sisters physically present in the Province (as of September 30, 2019) are 134 divided into age groups as follows:
– Blue: 3
– Lilac: 7
– Yellow: 12
– Pink: 41
– Orange: 44
– Green: 17
– White: 24
Sisters of Perpetual Profession are 124.
Junior Sisters: 17.
Ad-Gentes: 5
Temporary service: 11
Types of communities:
– Regular: 11 communities
– Large: 3 communities
– Medium: 4 communities
– Total: 18 communities
Ministries
The main ministries of the Canossian Sisters in East Timor are:
– Education (formal and non-formal)
– Evangelization
– Pastoral care of the sick.
News
Timor-Leste – An Encounter of Grace and Hope with the Junior Sisters
(Becora, Dili) – On Sunday, 28 June 2026, the Junior Sisters of the Province of Saint Joseph in Timor-Leste experienced a day of profound fraternity and formation with Mother General Sandra Maggiolo, FDCC, and General Councillor Mother Melissa Dwyer, FDCC.It was a...
Timor-Leste – Canonical Visit to the Community in Ainaro
(Ainaro) – From 18 to 20 June 2026, the Community of Saint Giuseppina Bakhita in Ainaro joyfully welcomed Mother Albertina Luís dos Santos, FDCC, on the occasion of the Canonical Visit, accompanied by Provincial Councillor Mother Carla Araújo.The visit was marked by...
Timor-Leste – Fraternal Canonical Visit to the Canossian Community of Iliomar
(Iliomar) – From 17 to 19 June 2026, the Canossian Community of Iliomar joyfully and gratefully welcomed Mother Melissa Dwyer, FDCC, General Councillor, on the occasion of the Fraternal Canonical Visit.During the three days of the visit, Mother Melissa shared moments...


